U.S. patent application number 11/678380 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for methods and systems for distributing movies for ownership.
Invention is credited to Charles Vallis.
Application Number | 20070204006 11/678380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38445332 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vallis; Charles |
August 30, 2007 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISTRIBUTING MOVIES FOR OWNERSHIP
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for obtaining one or
more copies of a movie or media via the internet using a computer
having a hard drive and a digital media device. A movie or media is
made up of a set of digital files. The methods include downloading
the set of movie or media digital files that have been purchased or
authorized for use by the user to the hard drive, wherein the set
of files is stored on the hard drive for a length of time necessary
to transfer said files to a recordable medium in the digital media
device; transferring the set files to the recordable medium in the
digital media device; and automatically deleting the set of files
from the hard drive without input from the user. The method
preventing other non-authorized users from file sharing or copying
the files.
Inventors: |
Vallis; Charles; (Lynnfield,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTOINETTE G. GIUGLIANO, P.C.
100 Cummings Center, Suite 342G
Beverly
MA
01915
US
|
Family ID: |
38445332 |
Appl. No.: |
11/678380 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60776721 |
Feb 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4627 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/4335 20130101; H04N 21/6125
20130101; H04N 7/162 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/4788
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/217 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for obtaining one or more copies of a movie or media
via the internet using a computer having a hard drive and a digital
media device, wherein the movie or media is comprised of a set of
digital files or a container file having said files; the method
comprises the steps of: a. downloading the set of movie or media
digital files or container file having said files that have been
purchased or authorized for use by the user to the hard drive,
wherein the set of files is stored on the hard drive for a length
of time necessary to transfer said files to a recordable medium in
the digital media device; b. transferring the set files to the
recordable medium in the digital media device; and c. automatically
deleting, erasing, rendering unusable, or any combination thereof,
the set of files from the hard drive without input from the user,
thereby preventing other non-authorized users from file sharing or
copying said files.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media device is a DVD
burner, a device having an external hard drive, or a portable
device.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the external hard drive is part
of a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) device.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the recordable medium is a
DVD.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is authorized to
download said movie or media with a license.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the set of movie or media files
is stored on the hard drive for a length of time ranging from about
1 minute to about 1 hour before being deleted.
7. A method for distributing a copy of a movie or media via the
internet using a computer having a hard drive and a digital media
device, wherein the movie or media is comprised of a set of digital
files or a container file having said files; the method comprises
the steps of: a. purchasing said movie or media or obtaining
authorization to copy said movie or media; and b. selecting the
digital media device to which the set of movie or media files is to
be copied; wherein once said movie or media is purchased and
digital media device selected, the method automatically performs
the steps comprising of: i. downloading the set of movie or media
files or container file having said files that have been purchased
or authorized for use by the user to the hard drive, wherein the
set of files is stored for a length of time necessary to transfer
said files to a recordable medium in the digital media device; ii.
transferring the set files to the recordable medium in the digital
media device; and iii. deleting, erasing, rendering unusable, or
any combination thereof, the set of files from the hard drive;
thereby preventing other non-authorized users from file sharing or
copying said files.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the digital media device is a DVD
burner, a device having an external hard drive, or a portable
device.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the external hard drive is part
of a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) device.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the recordable medium is a
DVD.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the user is authorized to
download said movie or media with a license.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of movie or media files
is stored on the hard drive for a length of time ranging from about
1 minute to about 1 hour before being deleted.
13. A system for obtaining a one or more copies of a movie or media
via the internet, wherein the movie or media is comprised of a set
of digital files or a container file having said files, the system
comprises: a. a computer having a hard drive and a digital media
device; b. a recordable medium; and c. software that performs the
steps of: i. downloading the set of movie or media digital files or
container file having said files that have been purchased or
authorized for use by the user to the hard drive, wherein the set
of files is stored on the hard drive for a length of time necessary
to transfer said files to a recordable medium in the digital media
device; ii. transferring the set files to the recordable medium in
the digital media device; and iii. automatically deleting, erasing,
rendering unusable, or any combination thereof, the set of files
from the hard drive without input from the user; thereby preventing
other non-authorized users from file sharing or copying said
files.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the digital media device is a
DVD burner, a device having an external hard drive, or a portable
device.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the external hard drive is part
of a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) device.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the recordable medium is a
DVD.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the set of movie or media files
is stored on the hard drive for a length of time ranging from about
1 minute to about 1 hour before being deleted.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/776,721, entitled "Methods and Systems for
Distributing Movies for Ownership," by Charles Vallis, filed Feb.
24, 2006.
[0002] The entire teachings of the above application are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Movie studios generally do not sell or license movies over
the internet because of the fear of file sharing and unauthorized
copying of movies. File sharing has caused problems and significant
monetary loss to the record industry. Several websites exist that
offer music to be purchased by digital downloading but the files
may be stored and easily shared or redistributed. Although the
files have basic copy protection, in many instances such protection
has not deterred file sharing. File sharing and unauthorized
copying of music files often negatively impacts the pricing of an
authorized downloaded music file, and the movie industry would
prefer to prevent the same from occurring.
[0004] Accordingly, a need exists for methods and systems that
allow for authorized distribution of movies over the internet. A
further need exists for methods and systems that allow distribution
of movies over the internet while preventing unauthorized or
illegal distribution of the files, as seen in the music
industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to methods for obtaining one
or more copies of a movie or media via the internet using a
computer having a hard drive and a digital media device, wherein
the movie or media comprises a set of digital files. The steps of
the methods include downloading to the hard drive the set of
digital movie or media files that have been purchased or authorized
for use by the user, wherein the set of files is stored on the hard
drive for a length of time necessary to transfer the files to a
recordable medium (e.g., DVD) in the digital media device. The
method further includes transferring the set files to the
recordable medium in the digital media device; and automatically
deleting, erasing, rendering unusable, or any combination thereof,
the set of files from the hard drive without input from the user.
All or a portion of the files can be downloaded, transferred and
deleted. When a portion of the files undergo the process, the steps
can be repeated more then one time until all of the movie files
undergo the process (e.g. downloaded, transferred and deleted from
the original hard drive). Such steps prevent other non-authorized
users from file sharing or copying files because the movie files do
not remain on the hard drive of the computer. Examples of digital
media devices that can be used with the methods of the present
invention include DVD burners, devices having an external hard
drive including a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) devices (e.g., TiVo,
or ReplayTV), or a portable digital media playing device such as an
Ipod. The user can purchase the movie, or be authorized to download
the movie or media with a license that is purchased. The length of
time that the set of movie or media files is stored on the hard
drive ranges from about 1 minute to about 1 hour before being
deleted.
[0006] The present invention further pertains to methods for
distributing a copy of a movie or media via the internet using a
computer having a hard drive and a digital media device, wherein
the movie or media comprises a set of digital files or a (e.g., one
or more) container file having digital files. The methods include
performing the steps of purchasing said movie or media or obtaining
authorization (e.g., via a license) to copy said movie or media;
and selecting the digital media device to which the set of movie or
media files is to be copied. The user interacts with a graphical
user interface (GUI) to provide instructions to the web
application. In particular, the user chooses what movie and
features is to be downloaded, how to pay for the movie, choose the
digital media device to be used, etc. In an embodiment, once the
user's choices are made, the downloading, burning and automatic
deletion of the movie files occur in one step, without further
input required from the user.
[0007] Once selected, the method automatically downloads the set of
movie or media files that have been purchased by the user to the
hard drive, wherein the set of files is stored for a length of time
necessary to transfer the files to a recordable medium in the
digital media device; transfers the set of files to the recordable
medium in the digital media device; and deletes the set of files
from the hard drive. As described above, the all or a portion of
the files can undergo the method at a time, and as such, the steps
of the method can be repeated one or more times. Such a method
prevents non-authorized use of the files including prevention of
file sharing or copying movie files.
[0008] The present invention encompasses systems for obtaining one
or more copies of a movie or media (e.g., a set of digital files)
via the internet. The system includes a computer having a hard
drive and a digital media device; a recordable medium; and software
that performs the steps described herein. In particular, the
software, when executed, downloads the set of movie or media
digital files that have been purchased or authorized for use by the
user to the hard drive, wherein the set of files is stored on the
hard drive for a length of time necessary to transfer said files to
a recordable medium in the digital media device; transfers the set
of files to the recordable medium in the digital media device; and
automatically deleting, erasing, rendering unusable, or any
combination thereof, the set of files from the hard drive without
input from the user, as described herein.
[0009] The present invention has several advantages. The methods of
the present invention benefits the movie industry by lowering
distribution costs and manufacturing costs, and providing the
potential for more availability and selection of movies through the
ease of digital distribution. The movie industry also enjoys
protection from unauthorized reproduction and distribution of
movies (e.g., bootlegging) because the customer retains a hard copy
of the movie that is created in the process. The consumer also
advantageously benefits from the methods of the present invention
because the consumer, in one click, receives a higher quality of
movies associated with digital technology, as compared to streaming
videos and enhanced compatibility, e.g., the ability to play movie
in home theater system, car, airplane. The present invention also
provides convenience and better economics of shopping from home,
the ability to enhance movies by including menus and special
features, and conserve hard-drive space by automatic deletion of
data. The methods of the present invention make the act of shopping
for movies a simple process for the user. Overall, the methods and
systems of the present invention enable permanent retention of the
movie by the consumer while protecting the rights of the movie
industry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the flow of media files when
steps of the present invention are performed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A description of preferred embodiments of the invention
follows.
[0012] The present invention relates to methods for distributing a
set of movie or media files in a digital format via the internet to
an authorized user. The movie industry is often weary of
distributing movies on online for fear of widespread illegal
distribution. The present invention encompasses methods for
distributing movies to authorized users, while discouraging file
sharing or copying of files by unauthorized users.
[0013] Specifically, the methods involve the downloading of a movie
which comprises a set of digital files or data. The files
downloaded when carrying out the methods of the present invention
can be digital video or movie files, or files that can be converted
to movie files (container files or compressed files). A container
file or container format is a computer file format that can contain
various types of files, often compressed by means of standardized
audio/video codecs. The phrase "digital files" or "movie files"
includes container files or compressed files that contain one or
more digital video or movie files. These files generally contain
full-motion, digital video, and can be in any suitable format
including, but not limited to, Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) files
or a mpeg file. AVI is a windows multimedia video format that
interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames
(bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at
160.times.120.times.8 resolution and audio in 11,025 Hz, 8-bit
samples. Files downloaded also include any features found on movie
DVD, including menus, bonus features, anamorphic video, subtitles,
digital rights management (DRM), etc. Data, as used herein, refers
to an electronic form of information, and including database data,
text, images, audio and video.
[0014] Such files or data can be distributed to an authorized user
by temporarily downloading movie data from the web to the hard
drive, and transferring the data to a recordable media disk or
external hard drive. Referring to FIG. 1, the user downloads movie
files from a content server having digital movie files and files
associated therewith. The files are temporarily downloaded the hard
drive, or burned directly to recordable medium. "Downloading"
refers to the act of receiving a file or series of files
transmitted via the internet "Temporarily downloading" movie files
refers to downloading the files to the hard drive of the authorized
user's computer for a length of time necessary to transfers the
files to a recordable medium in a digital media device, and then
automatically deleting, erasing or otherwise removing the files
from the hard drive without the user's input.
[0015] The copying of such files from the hard drive to the
recordable medium and the subsequent deletion can occur all at once
(i.e., all movie files (100%) are downloaded to the hard drive,
then all files are copied to a recordable medium, and then the
files on the hard drive are deleted or erased), or can happen in
increments (e.g., 5% of the files are downloaded to the hard drive,
then these files are copied to the recordable medium and deleted
from the hard drive; then another 5% of additional files are
downloaded and then copied; the steps are repeated until 100% of
the files are copied to the recordable medium). The latter method
utilizes a recordable medium to which files can be recorded more
than once (e.g., DVD-RW). By downloading, copying and deleting or
erasing a percentage of the files at a time further prevents a
possible unauthorized user from file sharing or copying the files
because all the files needed to view the movie are not present at
the same time on the hard drive. For this method, any percentage of
the files can be downloaded, copied and deleted (e.g., ranging from
about 1% to about 99% of the files).
[0016] Rather than copying to a hard drive and automatically
deleting the files, in another embodiment, the present invention
involves directly transferring or writing media files from the
server providing the content directly to a digital media device
optical disc (DVD). The present invention involves an automatic
process for media retention by the consumer without storing any
usable digital file on the hard drive of the personal computer.
[0017] In one embodiment, the files can be encrypted to further
prevent unauthorized copying or file sharing when placed on the
recordable medium or viewed by the authorized user. Optical discs
or DVDs made from the steps of the present invention, in an
embodiment, also contain copy protection encryption such as secure
burn, content scramble system (CSS) (Qflix, Sonic Solutions,
Novato, Calif.), or similar encryption. The encryption provided to
a pre-recorded DVD's can be applied to the recordable medium used
herein. For example, a burned DVD product can have special keys
written into the lead-in area of the disc to emulate the appearance
of a pre-recorded disc.
[0018] The method can be carried out using programming language
known in the art, or later developed. The user interacts with a
graphical user interface (GUI), or an interface known in the art,
or later developed to provide user instructions, as described
herein. The steps of the present invention can be implemented by
any computer based web application containing any programming
language such as Microsoft base C# for the .NET framework
integrating components for assembling and writing DVD video to an
optical disc. Other examples of software that can be used to such
software include, e.g., AJAX (Asynchronous Java and XML) software,
DreamWeaver, and FLASH software, javascript, php, css, asp, cold
fusion, jsp ruby, ruby on rails, and the like. An interface refers
to any mechanism by which an external user can provide their
instructions.
[0019] File Sharing, through peer-to-peer network, exists on the
internet and allows users to share files on their hard disks,
essentially creating global peer-to-peer networks. By removing
files from the hard drive, file sharing can be prevented.
[0020] The process, in one embodiment, includes a web-based
interface that has integrated DVD authoring technology and the
capability to permanently transfer data to a disc or device, using
the methods further described herein.
[0021] The process can be done on any personal computer located in
a home, workplace, cafes, video stores, libraries or any place
where there is a personal computer.
[0022] The length of time needed to transfer the set of movie files
from the hard drive to the recordable medium depends on a number of
factors such as the size and number of files, encryption of files,
the computer's memory and processor, and the speed at which the
digital media device records onto the recordable medium. The length
of time, depending on these and other factors, can typically range
between about less than 1 minute and about 1 hour.
[0023] In various embodiments, methods of the present invention
involve either deleting or erasing the movie files. Deleting the
files refers to removing the file name from its directory, and
erasing files refers to removing the data from the disk sector. In
one embodiment, files are deleted so that an ordinary user would
not be able to access the movie files. However in another
embodiment, the files can be erased from the disk sector to prevent
a more savvy, unauthorized user from accessing the files. In the
case of deleting or erasing file, unusable digital files can remain
on the hard drive. The definition of "deleted" or "erased" files
includes files that are completely removed, files that are
partially removed and rendered unusable, files that are otherwise
modified or rendered unusable, or any combination thereof.
[0024] A type of personal computers can be used to carry out the
present invention so long as the computer has sufficient memory,
processor speed, system requirements and space on the hard drive.
The computer should also have an integrated or peripheral digital
media device attached to or in communication with the computer.
[0025] The digital media device is a device that allows one to
store movie files, and associated files, to a recordable medium in
such a way that the movie can be viewed. Any digital media device
now known and developed in the future can be used so long as the
device can store movie files on a recordable medium that is built
in or removable. Method for recording data on an optical disc are
known and described e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,009. Digital media
devices include, but are not limited to, DVD burners, Digital Video
Recorders (DVRs), external hard drive devices, or portable devices
or media player (e.g., an Ipod or mobile phone capable of viewing
movies). Also known as a "personal video recorder" (PVR), or "hard
disk recorder," a DVR is a consumer device that digitizes broadcast
or cable TV onto a hard disk using MPEG-2 compression. Examples of
DVRs include products from ReplayTV (www.replaytv.com) and
TiVo.
[0026] Any type of recordable medium can be used so long as one can
store movie files and view the movie when the movie files are
executed. Recordable mediums now known and developed in the future
can be used. Examples of recordable mediums include any type of
optical disk, a DVD Media disk, a DVD-Video disk, a DVD-RAM disk, a
DVD-R disk, and a DVD-RW disk. A DVD Media disk is an optical
digital disc for storing movies and data. DVD-Video is the movie
format, which uses MPEG-2 compression to provide approximately two
hours of video per side at standard definition TV resolution (480i
resolution).
[0027] The relevant teachings of all the references, patents and/or
patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0028] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *